Folding display



April 12, 1932. H, R, HOWARD 1,853,615

FOLDING DISPLAY Y Filed May 15, 1929 131 710 77/? o r Euro 362 BhHowa/rdPatented Apr. 12, 1932 I 'TES Ars'r 'FEQ HAROLD R. HOWARD, BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO FORBES LITHOGRAPH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OFBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATIOTT MASSACHUSETTS v FOLDING DISPLAYApplication filed May 15, 1929. Serial No. 363,329.

This invention relates to display devices which collapse or fold into arelatively small compass for shipment or storage and are erected fordisplay into a three-dimensional structure. The object of the inventionis to provide a simple and effective device of this kind havingadvantages which will be apparent from the description.

The invention will be well-understood by reference to the followingdescription of the illustrative embodiment thereof shown by way ofexample in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan of the folded device with parts 7 successively brokenaway Fig. 2 is a perspective showing the parts partially unfolded todisclose the structure; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective of the erected display.

In the example of my invention illustrated the device is constructedfrom a single piece of relatively light cardboard and the hinge lines orfolding lines to be referred to are formed by simple creases in thispiece, but obviously the device might be constructed of one or morepieces hinged together in any desired manner within the scope of theinvention in its broader aspects. Referring to Fig; 2, the sheet ofmaterial comprises a back panel 5 to either end of which are hinged thelateral panels or wings 7 constituting with the panel 5 a triptyc'h. Thewings 7 may be of the same height as the panel 5 and are preferably of.

' half the width so that they may fold over and cover the same, as shownin Fig. 1. Along the lower edges of the wings 7 are hinged flaps orflanges 9 foldable in face to face relation with the same so as to beinfolded between the same and the back panel when the device iscollapsed or alternatively to lie at right an gles thereto, as shown inFig. 3. These flanges 9 may be of the same size or smaller than thewings 7. At the lower edge of the back panel 5 5 is hinged a flap orflange 11, conveniently of the same size or at least not greater and ofa height desirably at least equal to the width of the flanges 9.

To erect the device the Wings 7 are folded forwardly from the back panel5 and the flanges 9 assume a horizontal position in which they'mayoverlap as shown, the flange 11 swings downwardly on top of these wingsand by its weight frictionally pressing these against the support onwhich the device is placed maintains the parts in the position shown inFig. 8. When the device is collapsed, the flange 11 folds up against theface of panel 5, the flanges 9 against the faces of wings 7 and thelateral portions then fold in, the flanges 11 and 9 being received andenclosed between the back panel 5 and the wings 7 forming a flat packet,as shown in Fig; 1.

In the example-shown the hinge lines of the 9 beneath flange 11 in theerected'position of the device shown in Fig. 3. r I have indicatedonem'anner of utilizing the device by the legends inscribed on the partsin the accompanying drawings. Thus the back 5 and wings 7 on their innersurfaces may be provided with suitable designs or pictures constitutingin the erected position of Fig. 3 a three-dimensional representation ofa scene. For instance, thismight be a room as indicated in the drawings.by the inscription Wall on these parts. The face of flap 11 which'isexposed in the erected position of the'parts may have a suitabledesignthereon'complementary to the design on the triptych, for instance, a rugor other floor covering for the room, as indicated by the inscription inFig. 3. As shown in Fig. 1 the backs of flaps 7 could be delineated torepresent doors,'thus giving the effect of opening the doors to gainaccess to such a room. It will be understood that this, however, isexemplary merely. When the device is used todisplay a pictorialrepresenta tion in thismanner, the lateral flaps and the bottom of thecentral flap or base panel 11 provide convenient places to receivedescriptive printed matter, leaving the outer surfaces free,ifdesire d.

When constructed of relativelylight material, the device may serve as afolder adapted to be sent through the mails in the form shown in Fig. 1without necessarily utilizing additional wrapping, and the back of thecentral panel ma serve as a convenient' location for'an (I'd ress.

I am aware that the invention maybe embodied in other specific formswithout departingfromthe spirit or essentialattributes thereof, andItherefore desire thepresent embodiment tobe considered in all respectsas illustrative and not restrictive; reference being had to the appendedclaims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope ofthe invention.

L- clfaim l. ,A foldable display device constructed of sheet material ofsuchrigidity as to permit it-to beerected in self-sustaining position topresenta back, a base and sides extending between ,the back wandbase,said device. coinprisingatriptych, the elements thereof having flapsalongtheir base edges adapted to unfold substantiallyatright anglesthereto,

",the lateral flanges bein .ocerlaidby the b centralfiange in the set upposition whereby said elements are maintained in erected position.

2. Arfoldable display device constructed of sheetmaterial ofsuch-rigidity asto permit it ,tobe. erected in selfrsustaining positionto present -=a back, i a. base and sides extending betweentheback andbase, said devicecomprising acentral sheet and lateral wings :hingeldthereto and foldable ithGI'QOIl to cooperatively cover the same, flanges.on said wings foldable in face to face relation to a the same -to beinfolded beltrWQQIl the same and said sheet or alterna- ;tively toproject at-s-right; angles thereto, and :ajlange-onthe central sheet ofa height at least equal toqthe width .of said first flanges foldablein-face to face relation :to the same to be. covered. by said wings oralternatively tOIPIOjQCt ELt right angles thereto to overlie said {firstflanges intheir projected position and byits weightto maintainthewingsat angles; to the central sheet.

3. A display device comprising a back panelhaving wingshinged at itsends and designs thereon representing, when the wings are foldedforwardly from the back panel, a three-dimensional representation of ascene, flanges hinged to the lower edges of said wings, abase panelhinged to the lower edge of saidback panel resting onsaid flanges intheunfolded position of said device and by its engagement therewithpositioning the wings, said base panel having a. representationthereoncomplementary to the scene.

4. A foldable display device constructed of sheet material of suchrigidity as to permitit to be'erected in self-sustainingposition topresent a back, a base and sides extending ,betweentheback andbase, saiddevice com prising a triptych consisting of a central panel, lateralwings infolding to cover the same, the inner faces of said elementsdisplaying a representation, and flaps hinged to respective edges ofsaid elements foldable to lie between the paneland wings and unfoldingtoa horizontal position when the wings are extended forwardly from thepanel and in such position presenting overlapping parts andcooperatively serving to maintain the device erected.

5. A foldable display device constructed of sheet material of suchrigidity as to permit, it tobe erectedin self-sustaining position topresent a back, a base and sides extending betweenthe back :and .base,said device comprising a central sheet and lateral. Wings hinged theretoandfoldable thereon, flan es onsaid wings foldable'in face to face reation to the sameto be infolde'd'between the same and saidsheet andalternatively project-able at-ri 'ht'angles thereto, and a flange on thecentra l sheetifol'dable in face toface relation to-the sameandalternativly projectable at right angles'thereto'to overlie said[irst-fiangesin their projected position. and by its weight to maintainthe Wings at angles to the central sheet.

In testimony whereof, I have signed -my name to thisspecification.

-HAROLD LR. :HOWARD.

